Has anyone gone private for ASD diagnosis child?

[Topbananana]

and if so, can you recommend them? We live in London if that helps, and our child is 5

We did.

Cost 3.5k and we live in a much cheaper area than London. The assessment followed the NICE guidelines and MDT meeting containing 2 clincical psychologist (each with decades of experience at CAHMS) paediatrician, OT and SALT. DD was only seen by the people with * but they also had a SALT assessment which had been completed within the last 6 months which they used a part of their assessment.

Have you spoken to the SENCO and asked for their advice?

have you looked at Right to Choose op? Less long waiting lists but gp referral still and therefore free of charge.

SENCO said “yeah let’s just let them all settle in, speak to us next term” just feels like constant heel dragging and no real engagement. Our child does a great job at masking and performing so I feel like it’s a battle before it’s even begun

Being kind. If the school can’t identify anything then what is your expectation? I have a fantastic masker at school. I have no evidence. I wouldn’t be dragging my feet just factual in observations.

So what is your journey then? Your child masks and what, life is unchanged?

For us, we’re experiencing difficulties outside of school, burn out/school anxiety, that isn’t shown there because it’s not a “safe space” to show emotion. So ofc they’re going to perform for them, and then let it all out when home.

Something you might want to consider if you are concerned about masking is whether the provider you choose will do an observation in school if it is required. Mostly, evidence from a second setting is provided by school or nursery, but if diagnosis is equivocal, school observations can help. That said, working with the SENCO if you can, might be the best strategy at this stage.

I didn't have difficulty putting together evidence despite DC masking in school. They take a full family history, both sides. They ask about DC's milestones, behaviour, interests, relationships. They talk to DC at length and observe them doing activities. They do a bunch of speech and language stuff. The school's observations are included, but an ADOS isn't like an educational psychology assessment - it's about the child more than the educational setting.

I can understand the school’s point of view as she is very young. I also have a child in reception who I have concerns about but I think we need to watch and wait at the moment.

What are you concerns?